Books
Action Jasmine
By Kristen Mai Giang | March 10, 2025
Illustrated by A.N. Kang
Nancy Paulsen Books | Penguin Random House
A shy girl spends a special day with her grandfather discovering the action superhero inside her in a vivid celebration of imagination and play.
Jasmine prefers to blend in with the background. She peeks while others play and hides behind her big glasses. But when her grandpa reads stories to her at night, she dreams of adventure, and a new character—Action Jasmine—comes alive in her art. Action Jasmine isn’t scared, Action Jasmine is brave and saves the day. When her grandpa challenges her to join him on in adventure in the park, Jasmine is petrified (code for “super scared”) that is until she remembers they can go incognito (code for “so sneaky, no one even knows who you are”). But when Jasmine spies a boy playing by himself, can she find the courage to break out of her shell, start some action, and make a new friend?
LAST FLIGHT
By Kristen Mai Giang | Spring 2023
Illustrated by Dow Phumiruk
Levine Querido
This picture book tells the story of Kristen’s family’s escape from Saigon, Vietnam, six days before its fall in 1975. From the perspective of an 8-year-old girl, it is a tale of bravery, hope, and kindness – a family leaving everything they know and strangers risking their lives to bring about the miracle of this flight.
THE RISE (AND FALLS) OF JACKIE CHAN
By Kristen Mai Giang | March 29, 2022
Illustrated by Alina Chau
Penguin Random House | Crown Books for Young Readers
One of the biggest movie stars in the world was once called “useless” by his teachers. He was not what anybody wanted him to be. Not a good student. Not quiet and obedient. Not the next Bruce Lee. But when Jackie embraced who he was, he introduced Kung Fu comedy and revolutionized martial arts movies forever.
GINGER AND CHRYSANTHEMUM
By Kristen Mai Giang | AVAILABLE NOW!
Illustrated by Shirley Chan
Levine Querido
You can be close to someone very different from you, but that doesn’t mean it’s always easy!
Ginger is excitable; she leaps into action, throwing herself headfirst into any project. Chrysanthemum is cooler-headed; she likes to plan, she’s organized. She makes lists. Yet they are cousins, close as two beans in a pod.
But planning Grandma’s birthday together is a pretty huge challenge. There are presents to buy, decorations to pick, and a special birthday cake to bake. Together.
Is this a recipe for disaster? Or for something unexpectedly delicious.
